SigTuple Raises Rs 33 Crore in Extended Series C Funding to Revolutionize Digital Microscopy with AI

Medtech startup SigTuple, specializing in AI-powered digital microscopy solutions, has secured Rs 33 crore ($4 million) in an extended Series C funding round led by Sidbi Venture Capital, with participation from existing investors including Endiya Partners. This funding will support the company’s geographical expansion, product portfolio enhancement, and regulatory clearances.

Pioneering AI in Microscopy

Founded in 2015 by Tathagato Rai Dastidar, SigTuple leverages AI and robotics to automate manual microscopic reviews. The company's innovative device captures high-quality images of diseased samples through a camera lens, which are then analyzed by AI. Results are delivered via a cloud-based platform, significantly streamlining the diagnostic process. According to Dastidar, “AI already does around 95% of the job of an expert, reducing review time per sample drastically. An expert who takes five to ten minutes per sample can now review 300 to 400 samples a day, compared to 50.”

Expansion and Regulatory Milestones

With this latest funding, SigTuple aims to further its expansion into Europe and the Americas, building on its existing presence in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. In September 2023, SigTuple’s flagship product, AI100, received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marking a significant regulatory milestone.

Innovative Product Lineup

SigTuple recently beta-released its new device, AS76, which can analyze a variety of sample types, including tissue, sputum, blood, and urine. The company is also preparing to enter the point-of-care (PoC) market next year, utilizing microfluidic technology and imaging to conduct essential tests within minutes.

Industry Impact

Ramesh Byrapaneni, managing director of Endiya Partners, highlighted SigTuple’s unique position in the market: “SigTuple is bringing the power of optics, robotics, microfluidics, and AI to healthcare. With the upcoming launch of its second product and the point-of-care device under development, it will be the only company in the world to cater to all digital health needs of the pathology department—hematology, histopathology, and cytology.”

Future Prospects

To date, SigTuple has raised a total of $50 million. The company’s innovative approach and rapid expansion plans position it as a leading player in the digital health landscape, promising to revolutionize pathology with advanced AI and robotics solutions.